Quick-change filter and bracket system

ABSTRACT

A bracket system holds one or more filters in quick-attach and quick-release fashion. Bracket modules are combined in modular fashion, with tubing or other conduit between the modules, to create a “bank” of filters easily changed in number, arrangement, and flow scheme. Preferably, the bracket system comprises pairs of top modules and bottom modules that capture and support the top end and bottom end of a filter. Filter inlet and outlet ports preferably slide onto and off of cooperating tubes or ports in the bracket modules, for installation and removal of the filters onto/from the modules without tools or threaded connections. A top retaining member preferably pivots off of its respective filter, so that the filter may be lifted up off of its respective bottom module. The bottom modules may be pivotal, so that lifting the filter up from the bracket system is facilitated by allowing the filter top end to also pivot out away from the top module. Each filter is preferably substantially vertically and pivotally removable from the bracket system.

DESCRIPTION

This application claims priority of Provisional Application Serial No.60/329,422, filed Oct. 12, 2001, and entitled “Quick Change Filter andBracket System,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to brackets and piping manifolds forholding water filters, and more specifically, brackets and manifoldsthat allow quick change-out of the filters. The invention relates to abracket system that may accommodate a plurality of filters in seriesand/or parallel flow, and is adaptable to many different flow schemes,media and liquids. The preferred system used a pivotal system, wherein atop bracket pivots away from each filter so that the filters may belifted up out of the bracket system.

2. Related Art

Manifold systems have been developed to accommodate multiple filters orwater treatment tanks for increasing filter capacity and for allowingquick replacement of the filters. In 1972, Warren disclosed (U.S. Pat.No. 3,685,539) a multi-station system comprising a plurality of filtersattached to a vacuum manifold. In 1973, Bjork disclosed (U.S. Pat. No.3,753,495) a water conditioning unit with a filtering tank and a watersoftening tank connected to a manifold. In 1992-1994, Posner et al.disclosed a manifold system that comprises horizontally-removablefilters that include a “means for effective evenly distributedfiltration,” which includes a first conical stage filter near the filterinlet and a second conical stage filter near the filter outlet, with acharcoal element between the conical filters. Each Posner filter isremovable in a horizontal direction, that is, perpendicularly to theplane of the piping manifold, which plane is typically vertical. ThePosner fittings are stationary snap-together and snap-apart connectionsthat are parallel in fixed horizontal planes.

There is still need a filter and bracket system that provides reliablequick connection and disconnection between a plurality of filters andtheir respective brackets. There is still a need for such a modularsystem that allows filters to be arranged in many different flowconfigurations for many different processes. The present inventionfulfills these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a bracket system that holds a filter inquick-release fashion and that may comprise conduits for flow in or outof one or both ends of the filter. The bracket system may be expanded byusing a plurality of brackets in modular fashion to create a “bank” ofseveral filters. The invented system therefore features a high degree offlexibility for changing the number of filters and the flowscheme of thefilter bank, including flow between two or more filters to a storage ortreatment vessel that is separate from the bank of filters.

The bracket system comprises pairs of brackets. Each pair includes a topbracket and a bottom bracket, which capture the top end and bottom endof a filter, respectively. Several pairs of brackets may be positionednear each other to hold a plurality of fitters generally side-by-side orin other arrangements. Fittings are included in the brackets for sealingto the inlet and outlet ports of the filters to connect the ports toflexible tubing or other conduit. The conduit extends from the fittingsto establish many different flowschemes in and out of the filters andbetween the filters and/or the separate storage and treatment vessels.Each bracket may be made to include fitting configurations of varioustypes, including:

1. One fitting, that is, a single fitting for attachment to an inletport or an outlet port;

2. Two fittings, that is, “double fittings” for connection to both aninlet port and an outlet port; or

3. No fittings, wherein the particular bracket, either top or bottombracket, is intended for support of the filter but not for conducting offluid.

Single-fitting brackets are placed on both ends of flow-through filters,for example, to allow flow into the filter top end and out of the filterbottom end. Double-fitting brackets are used at one end of acentral-return-tube-style filter, preferably the top end, to allow flowin and out of a single end of the filter. For such return-tube filters,the bottom bracket typically contains no fittings or conduit, becausethe bottom bracket serves only to support and retain the filter.Brackets intended for the various fitting configurations may be made thesame or substantially the same, that is, having the basic structure formore than one configuration but having one or more fittings blocked offfor use with different filters. For example, a bottom bracket may beformed to have a post that, in some flowschemes, fluidly communicateswith a port in the filter, or, in other flowschemes, may have itsinternal passage blocked and have no attached conduit, so that there isno fluid communication. Or, the filter may have only an indentation inits bottom end rather than a port, so that a post with an internalpassage still does not communicate with the internals of the filter.

The brackets preferably serve as support, securement, and quick-connectand quick-disconnect fluid conduit means, so that, preferably, a filtermay be installed or removed without tools, without manipulation ofthreaded members or other screws, bolts, or other fasteners. To fulfillthese objects, the preferred top and bottom brackets have slide-togetherfluid connections and pivotal features that allow the filter to “clear”the brackets during removal. The top brackets are preferably adapted topivot off of the filters, so that the filters may be lifted up off ofthe bottom brackets. Additionally, the bottom brackets may be pivotal,so that lifting the filters up from the bracket system is facilitated byallowing the filter to also pivot out away from the top modules. Thus,the top bracket preferably comprises a lid that has a substantialvertical component to its movement, to clamp down over the top filterconnection for retaining the filter top in place, and then to move upand away from the top filter connection for removal of the filter. Thebottom bracket comprises a base that preferably vertically receives thebottom surface of the filter, and, optionally, a vertical fitting forforming a fluid connection with the bottom of a flow-through filter.

Therefore, the preferred bracket system holds one or more filters inquick-attach and quick-release fashion and includes conduits for flow inand out of one or both ends of the filters. A plurality of bracketmodules are combined in modular fashion, with tubing or other conduitbetween the modules, to create a “bank” of several filters featuring ahigh degree of flexibility for changing the number and flow scheme offilters, and with tubing or other conduit between filters and thestorage or treatment equipment that is separate from the bank offilters. Preferably, the bracket system comprises pairs of top modulesand bottom modules that capture and support the top end and bottom endof a filter. A top retaining member preferably pivots off of itsrespective filter, so that the filter may be lifted up off of itsrespective bottom module. Additionally, the bottom modules may bepivotal, so that lifting the filter up from the bracket system isfacilitated by allowing the filter to also pivot out away from the topmodule. Thus, the top retaining member has a substantial verticalcomponent to its movement to clamp down over the top filter connectionto retain the filter top in place. The bottom bracket comprises a baseto vertically support the filter plus, optionally, a fitting for forminga fluid connection with a flow-through filter. Each filter is thereforesubstantially vertically and pivotally removable from the bracketsystem.

The especially-preferred embodiments of filter and bracket modules areadapted so that the filter is installed by a simple lifting of a lid,placement of the filter on the bottom bracket, pivoting the filtertoward the top bracket to push the top ports onto the bracket tubes, andletting the lid fall down onto the filter top end. Likewise, theespecially-preferred filter is removed from the bracket modules by theuser lifting the lid and pulling on the top end of the filter to pullthe filter off of the top bracket tubes, which causes the filter topivot slightly away from the top bracket into a position in which theuser may then easily lift the filter up off the bottom bracket withoutany further detachment of parts, fasteners, or moveable members. Thus,the invented system may provide a bank of filters that may quickly bechanged out or cleaned or otherwise maintained by even relativelyuntrained staff.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the invention,which comprises four pairs of brackets, with four filters in variousstages of removal, the brackets being shown without tubing or otherconduit between the brackets.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the filters and brackets of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of a bottom bracket, filter top,and top bracket for a down-flow filter system.

FIG. 4A is a schematic front view of one embodiment of a bottom bracket,including one side-extending fitting and a blocked opposite-sidefitting.

FIG. 4B is a schematic side view of another embodiment of a bottombracket with one rearward-extending fitting and flexible tubingillustrated as extending in two alternate directions.

FIG. 5A is a schematic of one embodiment of a flow scheme possibleaccording to the invention, which includes two pairs of brackets with aninlet at the top and an outlet at the bottom and two pairs of bracketswith both inlet and outlet in the top bracket, and intermediate storageor treatment.

FIG. 5B is a schematic flow diagram of another embodiment of theinvention, including five filters in series with intermediatestorage/treatment after the first filter, and each filter and itsrespective brackets featuring a different flow direction and/or fittinglocation.

FIG. 5C is a schematic flow diagram of another embodiment of theinvention, including five filters in an arrangement wherein the fivefilters are all on a plane, but not aligned horizontally or vertically.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a filterholder, a bracket with keyed structure on connection tubes that connectto and fluidly seal to an embodiment of a filter cartridge according tothe invention having cooperating inlet and outlet ports.

FIG. 7 is a bottom, cross-sectional view of the filter holder of FIG. 6,viewed along the lines B—B in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the filter holder of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the filter holder of FIGS. 6-8.

FIG. 10 is a detail view of Section A of FIG. 9, of the filter holder ofFIGS. 6-9.

FIG. 11 is a front, cross-sectional view of the filter holder of FIGS.6-10, viewed along the line A—A in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the filter holder of FIGS. 6-11.

FIG. 13 is a detail view of the inlet and outlet tubes of the filterholder of FIGS. 6-12, viewed as detail B of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a partial side view of one embodiment of a filter cartridge,which is adapted to cooperate with the filter holder of FIGS. 6-13, andwhich may be called a 0° (right port in the figure) and 60° (left portin the figure) key arrangement or, in other words, a 12 o'clock and 2o'clock key arrangement.

FIG. 15 is a partial side view of a filter cartridge of the typecooperating with the filter holder of FIGS. 6-13, but with analternatively-angled key system structure, which may be called a 110°(right port) and 290° (left port) key arrangement.

FIG. 16 is a partial side view of a filter cartridge of the typecooperating with the filter holder of FIGS. 6-13, but with analternatively-angled key system structure, which may be called a 195°and 170° key arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, there are shown several, but not the only,embodiments of invented modular bracket and filter system. FIGS. 1 and 2illustrates a four-filter system 10 having four pairs of brackets,comprising four top brackets 12 and four bottom brackets 14 that arearranged side-by-side (“aligned”) in two parallel horizontal rows. FIG.3 illustrates a single filter cooperating with a single pair ofbrackets. FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate other alternative arrangements madepossible by the modular system. FIGS. 6-13 illustrate details ofpreferred components of the invented system. FIGS. 14-16 illustratevarious key systems that may be provided as an option on the filters andbrackets.

Arrangements for the invented brackets and their cooperating filters mayinclude horizontally aligned, vertically aligned, or non-alignedlocations, with a variety of spacing and and patterns, as long as thetop bracket and the bottom bracket of each pair of brackets areappropriately spaced apart to receive the filter 11. Each pair ofbrackets may be located generally independently of the others as long asthe conduit between them and to/from intermediate storage and treatmentis long enough. This allows a great variety of arrangements andspacings, as well as many flowschemes and liquid treatment options, aswill be further discussed below.

The invented modular bracket system is especially well adapted forinstallation on a wall, equipment surface, or other provided preferablygenerally planar surface. The term “support surface” is used in theclaims as the surface upon which the brackets are mounted, and thesupport surface may be of various designs, shapes, and orientations. Forexample, it may be a solid wall, a grid, a frame, a surface of a pieceof equipment, or various combinations of the above. Therefore, while theDescription and Claims may refer to the bracket modules being adaptedfor connection to “a support surface,” or “the support surface,” this tonot to limit both the top and bottom brackets holding a filter to beingon the same surface or to being on a continuous surface. For example,“the support surface” includes embodiments wherein both top bracket andbottom bracket are installed on a single wall, or installed on twodifferent surfaces generally near each other, such as an upper beam anda lower beam, or an upper frame member 13 and a lower frame member 15,or other embodiments for supporting the brackets. Further, while “topbracket” and “bottom bracket” are used herein and in the claims forclarity sake, this does not necessary limit the brackets and the filterto a particular vertical position unless that limitation of verticalityor other specific limitations of orientation are clearly included.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top bracket 12 comprises at its rear anattachment plate 20 for attachment to a wall or other preferablyvertical surface. Connected to the plate 20 are two side-by-sidefittings, one for fluid flow into the filter and one for fluid flow outof the filter. Each of the fittings has a first end 22 and a second end24, wherein the first ends are tubular protrusions extending out fromthe bracket generally horizontally toward the front of the bracket forconnection to the inlet port and outlet port of a filter. The fittingsextend back from their first ends 22 and preferably bend at about 90° toturn opposite directions to place their second ends 24 at opposite sidesof the bracket. The second ends 24, in the preferred embodiment are nearthe attachment plate 20 and open in opposite directions on the same orsimilar axes.

The second ends 24 are adapted for connection to fluid conduit 40 (notshown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, but shown in FIGS. 4B, 5A, and 5B), which ispreferably flexible tubing, but may also be a rigid tube, pipe, or otherconnector. Flexible tubing is normally used for flow schemes in whichthe conduit runs from the top bracket to some location other thananother top bracket immediately adjacent, because the conduit normallyincludes several bends and curves. For example, the flexible tubing mayextend from the first top bracket to a storage tank, and then back to atop bracket or to a bottom bracket. For conduit paths that require fewor no bends/curves, rigid or partially rigid conduit is effective. Forexample, a rigid connector may extend straight from a second end of onetop bracket to an adjacent second end of an adjacent top bracket. Anexample of a rigid tube connector may be two collet-style connectorsinstalled in the second ends of adjacent brackets with the two colletsbeing joined by a short length of pipe or flexible tubing.

In embodiments in which the two first ends 22 are side-by-side andparallel to each other, the two second ends 24 are preferablyopposite-facing on the same axis, so that the second ends 24 extend toor near to the outer edges of the attachment plate. Each of the twofittings of the top bracket is preferably isolated from the other (notfluidly communicating with each other except via the filter), in thatfluid must flow through one bracket into the filter, and through thefilter to reach the other fitting and out to another bracket or separatestorage/treatment. Alternatively, if a bracket is temporarily not to beused for a filter, the inventor envisions that a jumper tube orconnector may be installed between the two fittings to allow flow fromone fitting to the other without going through a filter.

Also, the inventor envisions that, instead of bending at 90°, fittingsmay extend straight back from the first ends 22 through the attachmentplate 20 for connection to conduit 40 behind or passing through theattachment plate 20. This would be practical for embodiments designed tohang on a grid or other non-solid surface that would allow conduit topass back and forward through the grid.

The top bracket 12 includes a lid 30 pivotally connected to theattachment plate 20, by way of one or more arms rotatably disposedaround the fittings near the second ends. The lid 30 is generally aninverted-cup-shape with a top wall 32, side walls 34, front wall 36, andan interior space 38. The lid pivots between a raised position, asindicated at “U” (“for up”), to a lowered position indicated at “D”(“for down”). With the lid in the raised position, the first ends of thefittings and the top end 42 of the filter (especially the inlet port 44and outlet port 46) are exposed, and the filter may be pulled away fromthe fittings. In the lowered position, the lid is lowered over the firstends and the filter ports 44,46, in effect, enclosing the fitting-portconnection on the top, front, and two sides. In this lowered position,the lid and especially the front wall 36, retains the filter top end 42in the bracket 12, because it can not be pulled out or fall out from thefittings. Preferably, an elastic band or other biasing member isinstalled to bias the lid into the lowered position. This way, a personmy temporarily raise the lid to remove a filter top end, but, as soon ashe/she lets go of the lid, it snaps back down, pivoting relative to theattachment plate and the fittings to rest in the lowered position.

An elastic band 47 is illustrated in the third filter from the left inFIG. 2, as an example of various biasing systems for urging the pivotallid to the position in which it engages, blocks, or otherwise retainsthe filter top end. The elastic band 47 may encircle a lower portion of,or a hook on, the attachment plate 20 and extend to and encircle a hookor other portion of the pivotal lid 30 in such an orientation that thelid is urged downward in FIG. 2 relative to the attachment plate. Thoseof skill in the art, after seeing the Drawings and reading thisDescription will understand this and other biasing systems that may beincorporated in the top bracket to bias the position of the lid.

Alternatively, the top bracket may include systems other than thepivotal lid to engage the filter top end to limit movement of the filteroff of the top bracket until the user purposely removes the filter. Suchsystems may be said to be various latch systems, which engage, surround,or otherwise contain or partially contain the filter top end. The latchsystem does not necessarily have to pivot down onto the filter to end,but, rather, may include embodiments in which a member swings, slides,pivots, snaps or otherwise moves from any direction toward the filter tohold it in the preferred position.

The bottom bracket 14 that is adapted for cooperation with thedouble-fitting top bracket discussed above does not necessarily need toinclude a fitting for connection to a port. Because both inlet andoutlet fittings, in such an embodiment, are positioned at the topbracket, the bottom bracket need only be a support system for the bottomend 52 of the filter. For such embodiments, the base 54 and its post 56do not carry fluid or convey fluid to conduits or other filters orvessels, but rather serve for support, alignment, and securement of thefilter. The base 54 portrayed in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a post 56 thatmay be received in an indentation in the bottom of the filter foralignment of the filter in the base, but in an embodiment in which thefilter top end 42 includes both inlet and outlet ports 44,46, theindentation is not a port and the indentation, and therefore the post,are not in fluid communication with the filter.

Alternatively, the inventor envisions that a filter and bracket systemaccording to this invention may even employ three ports, that is, forexample, one inlet port, an intermediate port that takes liquid to anintermediate storage and back again, and a third port as an outlet todownstream processing. This may be accomplished by using two ports atone end of the filter, and one at the bottom, for example.

For supporting the opposite end of the filter, the bottom bracket 14 isprovided. The bottom bracket 14 has a rear attachment plate 60 forattachment to the vertical wall and two spaced arms 64, 64′ that extendout from the plate 60. Pivotally connected to the arms 64, 64′ is thebase 54 with a bottom wall 66 and a side wall 68 surrounding anddefining an interior space 70 for receiving the bottom end 52 of thefilter. The base 54 is biased by an elastic band 147, schematicallyshown in FIG. 4A, or other biasing member to remain in a position withthe base generally on a horizontal plane and vertically receiving thefilter.

When force is applied to pivot the base, it pivots on a horizontal axisthat is parallel to the plate of the bracket, to a tilted positionslightly outward away from the plate. This pivoting typically occurswhen the filter top end is pivoted out slightly away from the topbracket so that the filter clears the top bracket when lifted up out ofthe bottom bracket (see two filters on left of FIGS. 1 and 2). In someembodiments, it is envisioned there may be room for some pivoting of thefilter bottom end relative to the base, but, in most embodiments, it ispreferred that the filter have a close fit in the base and is notpivotal relative to the base. Therefore, when the filter is tiltedoutward, the base pivots outward with it, typically about 15-25° from avertical plane, optionally about 15-45° from a vertical plane.Preferably, the filter does not, or cannot, tilt out farther than 45degrees before being lifted upward, and, hence, the filter may beconsidered to be removed from the bracket system of this invention “in avertical fashion” or “vertically,” rather than horizontally. The filteris then lifted up out of the base at that angle relative to vertical,which may reasonably be considered generally vertically. The preferredbiasing member returns the base to its upright position after the filteris removed.

For alternative embodiments, in which the filter top and top brackethave only one fitting and port 44, or no fittings or port, the bottombracket is adapted to carry and direct fluid in and or out of thefilter. In embodiments in which the bottom bracket includes one fittingfor a filter port, the bottom bracket preferably includes tubular post56 in the center of the base, as illustrated by FIG. 3. The post upendsinto the interior space to be slidably received in a port in the filterbottom end 52 The post upends perpendicularly from the base bottomsurface, to be vertical when the base is in its upright position. Theport into which the post is received runs axially into the filter,preferably at the central axis of the filter. The post's axial fluidpassage 70 is thereby placed in fluid communication with the filter andserves as a fitting for connection to conduit for conducting fluidto/from the filter.

An effective system using a fluid-conducting bottom bracket is to havefluid enter the filter top end via a top bracket fitting and a top inletport 44, flow down through the filter 11 either in axial and/or radialflow to a bottom outlet port. From the bottom outlet port, fluid flowsinto the hollow post 56 in the base, to a conduit 40 that conducts thefluid to another bracket (either top or bottom) or intermediate storageor treatment. Alternatively, the post may serve as an inlet to thefilter, which would then be an up-flow filter.

Alternatively, the bottom bracket may include both an inlet and anoutlet fitting, for embodiments in which the top bracket does notinclude any fluid fitting or conduit. This could be accomplished byproviding two vertical posts upending from the base and in fluidcommunication with an inlet and outlet port in the bottom end of thefilter, for example, an inlet offset from the central axis of the filterand the outlet at the central axis of the filter.

As illustrated schematically in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the post 56 representsthe first end of the bottom bracket fitting, and the bottom bracketfitting further includes a second end 57 adapted for connection to theconduit 40. Various fitting styles may be provided on the bottom bracketfitting second ends 57. FIG. 4A illustrates schematically a bottombracket 12 with a fitting extending from its first end (post 56) to bendabout 90° to open at its second end 57 at the side, generally parallelto the second ends 24 of the preferred top bracket. In this embodiment,the fitting second end 57 and a protrusion 59 opposite the second endboth pivot in the arms, so that the pivotal axis extends through thecentral cavity 61 of the fitting second end. In this embodiment, thesecond end 57 is a connection/port for connection to a fluid conduit,and also is pivotally received by arms of the bottom bracket system, sothat the second end 57, in effect, is an axle member or pivotal member.At the opposite end of the “axle” is the protrusion end 59, which, inthis embodiment does not serve as a fluid conduit, but rather as part ofthe pivotal axle for the bottom bracket.

FIG. 4B shows an embodiment in which the fitting second end 57′ extendsin an L-shape rearward and transverse to the pivotal axis. In such anembodiment, the fitting second end 57′ conveniently connects to aflexible tubing 40 that extends back through the plate 60, or through agrid wall. Or, the tubing may extend up to loop up to a top bracket ofthe adjacent filter or to intermediate storage/treatment. In theembodiment of FIG. 4B, the second end 57′ does not serve as an axlemember, but rather a pivotal axle (pivotal member 67) is provided.

Several of many flow schemes are possible with the invented system shownschematically in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C. For example, FIG. 5A illustratesa configuration in which two series-flow filters 101, 102 in brackets,according to the invention, process a fluid, which then exits from thesecond filter and flows to an intermediate treatment step 103 notinvolving one of the filters and at a distance from the filters. Afterthis treatment step 103, the fluid flows to a second bank of two filters104, 105, and brackets according to the invention, for furtherprocessing. All of the four filters according to the invention in FIG.5A are aligned generally side-by-side, that is, aligned generally“horizontally,” for example, on a vertical wall or grid, while theintermediate treatment may be located at a significant distance or nearthe filters, but not necessarily horizontally aligned with the filters.The first two filters in FIG. 5A are down-flow, top-inlet-port andbottom-outlet-port filters, while the last two filters have both inletand outlet ports at their top ends.

FIG. 5B illustrates a bank of five filters 105, 108, 109, 110, 111 whichare aligned horizontally on a wall or grid. The fluid flows through thefirst filter 105 in a down-flow pattern (top-inlet-port andbottom-outlet-port) and then to two non-filtration treatment steps, 106,107. Then, the fluid flows to the second filter 108, which has bothinlet and outlet ports at its top end, to filters 109 and 110, whichhave inlets at their top ends and outlets at their bottom ends, and,finally, to filter 111, which is an up-flow filter having its inlet atits bottom end and outlet at its top end. The fluid conduits may berigid piping, or may be flexible tubing, as convenient.

FIG. 5C illustrates a filter arrangement in which a plurality of filtersare aligned vertically (120, 121, filters of different lengths, forexample) and a plurality are aligned horizontally (124, 126, filters ofdifferent diameters, for example) and another (130) is not aligned withthe others either vertically or horizontally. The filter and bracketsystems of FIG. 5C are attached to a grid/grating wall 140, whichprovides rigid portions 141 for connection of the attachment plates andapertures 142 for strapping or fastening of flexible tubing as fluidconduit.

In FIGS. 5A-5C, the various brackets according to the invention arenoted as B, and the filters are noted as F, wherein the fluid conduit isnoted as call-out number 40. The brackets may be adapted as appropriateto match the desired type of filter ports and may be adapted tocooperate with the desired type of conduit, whether rigid piping,collet-style connections, or flexible plastic tubing, for example.

As suggested by FIGS. 5A-5C, filters of many designs and contents may beused with the invented bracket system. For example, down flow (eitherradial and/or axial), up flow (either radial and/or axial), or centralreturn tube styles with both inlet and outlet at one end may be used.Many filtration and treatment media may be used including carbons,bolides, blocks, granules, fibrous, or other materials and/or even mediavoid spaces. The invented brackets may be moved in location and adaptedin size and shape and fitting style to fit various filter diameters,lengths, and designs, as suggested by FIG. 5C.

The base 54 of the bottom bracket illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4B ispreferably removable from the plate, by means of a snap-in or slide-inconnection between the base and the arms 64, 64′. As shown in FIGS. 1and 4B, the pivotal members 67 received in holes 69 in the arms areflattened. When the base is pivoted about 90°, the flattened pivotalmembers 67 align their lengths with the slot opening 71 leading out fromthe holes in the arms, and can then slide out of the arms. This feature,or other removable adaptation, allows one to remove the base with itsfitting for maintenance or replacement.

Preferred Embodiment of Top Bracket:

FIGS. 6-12 illustrate a particularly preferred version of a piece of thetop bracket 12, with tubular connectors for connecting to a filtercartridge top. Bracket member 210 is the piece that seals with, andfluidly-communicates with, a filter cartridge at its top end. It is thetwo tubular connectors, therefore, that create a physical connection andfluid communication between the bracket and cartridge, and the lid 30(not shown in FIGS. 6-12) helps lock the filter onto the tubularconnectors. The tubular connectors are designed to extend out from thebracket, generally horizontally when the bracket is attached to avertical wall, for example. Thus, the tubular connectors are preferablyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the preferred filter.

Preferably, the fit between the inlet and outlet tubular connectors andthe cooperating ports on the filter are slide-on, frictionalconnections, tight enough that the filter does not tend to come off thetubular connectors, but the lid acts as a further obstacle to thishappening. The bracket member 210 shown in FIGS. 6-12 includes bothinlet and outlet tubular connectors, for conducting fluid both into andout of the filter cartridge. Thus, the bottom bracket corresponding tosuch an embodiment would not include any fluid communicationports/tubular connectors, unless the filter was adapted to have a totalof three ports, as described above.

The bracket 210 shown in FIGS. 6-12 includes, as an option but not anecessity, a keyed system to control what filters are inserted intoparticular brackets. The keyed system includes tabs that protrude fromthe inlet and outlet tubular connectors that would be part of a keyedsystem, to make the tubular connectors' outer surface not perfectlycylindrical, wherein the protruding tabs would be sized to fit intocorrespondingly positioned and properly sized slots in the inner surfaceof the filter cartridge ports. Thus, the tabs of the tubular connectors(shown in FIGS. 6-13) and the slots (shown in FIGS. 14-16) of the filtercartridge ports, therefore, may form a “key system” which can be used tokeep unauthorized or improper filter cartridges from being placed on aparticular bracket 210. For various sets of brackets and their properfilter cartridges, the tab and slot location/position would bedifferently arranged, so, for example, a “Type A” filter cartridge couldonly be inserted into a “Type A” bracket, and a “Type B” filtercartridge could only be inserted into a “Type B” bracket. Type A couldbe a pre-filter, for example, and its tab and slot could be positioned,for example, at “one-o'clock on the tubular connectors and ports. Type Bcould be a microbial treatment filter cartridge, for example, and itstubular connectors and ports, for example, could be positioned at “fouro'clock”. Thus, by placement of the Type A and Type B brackets in aparticular order, one could ensure that the cartridges are always in thecorrect order.

In FIG. 6 is shown the bracket 210 that serves several functions:mounting means for securing the bracket to a wall of other surface,fluid receiving means, inlet tube for conveying liquid to the filterconnected; outlet tube for conveying liquid from the filter; and fluiddispensing means for sending the filtered/treated liquid downstream toanother filter, process, storage, or use. Specifically, plate 212 may beattached to a wall or other surface for supporting several brackets invarious flow configurations. Inlet 214 and outlet 216 are at oppositeends of a conduit device 218, and may be used so that inlet 214 receivesfluid from an upstream pipe or other conduit and that outlet 216delivers filtered fluid (that has exited the filter cartridge) to itsdownstream destination. The conduit device 218 directs flow into theinlet tube 220 so that the fluid may flow into the filter cartridge, andthen receives flow from the cartridge into the outlet tube 222 so thatit may flow out through outlet 216.

As part of the preferred, but not necessary, key system, male tubes 220and 222 have “stand out” or tabs 225, 225′ on their outer cylindricalsurfaces for a key system, such as discussed above, which are preferredbut not required. As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, tube 220 and tube 222have tabs 225, 225′ protruding about 30 degrees offset from each other(tab 225 of tube 220 out to the left in FIG. 14 and tab 225′ of tube 222down about 30 degrees from the tab 225 of tube 220). The cooperatingfilter cartridge 228 shown schematically in FIG. 15 has female inlet andoutlet tubes 230 and 232 (which may also be called an inlet port andoutlet port), and one may notice that tubes 230 and 232 have matched or“mating” internal slots 227, 227′ to receive the tabs 225, 225′.Alternatively, of course, filter cartridges might be made with maletubes and tabs and cooperating holders may be made with female tubes andslots.

The bracket 10 in FIGS. 6-13 typically is installed in a process withthe plate 212 vertically attached to a vertical wall. Thus, tubes 220and 222 extend out horizontally, and the filter cartridge is pushed ontothe tubes 220, 222 so that the tubes 220 and 222 support and connectwith the filter cartridge. Associated with the tubes 220, 222, 230, 232are o-rings or other sealing structure to provide liquid-tightcommunication between the bracket and the cartridge. Although it is notshown, one may see from FIGS. 6-13 that liquid-tight seals are madebetween piping or other conduit and the inlet 214 and outlet 216.Additionally, a fastening device may be added to further secure thecartridge in sealed relationship with the tubes 220, 222, such as lid30.

One may see that, by varying the radial location of the tabs and slots,one could arrive at many “keys” and “locks” for the cartridge-holdersets. For example a holder could have an inlet tube with a tab at 60degrees from a reference point and the outlet tube could have a tab at120 degrees relative to that reference point, as long as the propercartridge for that holder is made with the same offset and the sameabsolute location of slots. FIGS. 6-14 illustrate only one set of themany possible combinations of possible tab radial locations, which areextremely numerous because the radial location of each of the tubes maybe varied in each set, and may be varied independently. FIGS. 15 and 16illustrate two of the many other possible key system structures. Forexample, in the top end of elongated filter cartridge 228′ of FIG. 15,the female inlet tube (port) 230′ is keyed at about 110 degrees, and thefemale outlet tube (port) 232′ is keyed at about 290 degrees. In the topend of elongated filter cartridge 228″ of FIG. 16, the inlet tube 230″is keyed at about 195 degrees and the outlet tube 232″ is keyed at about170 degrees.

The bracket 10 in FIGS. 12-19 typically is installed in a process withthe plate 212 vertically attached to a vertical wall. Thus, tubes 220and 222 extend out horizontally, and the filter cartridge is pushed ontothe tubes 220, 222 so that the tubes 220 and 222 support and connectwith the filter cartridge. Associated with the tubes 220, 222, 230, 232are o-rings or other sealing structure to provide liquid-tightcommunication between the bracket and the cartridge. One may understandfrom FIGS. 12-19 that liquid-tight seals are made between piping orother conduit and the inlet 214 and outlet 216. Additionally, afastening device (or “latch system”) may be used to further secure thecartridge ports in sealed relationship with the tubes 220, 222.

Although this invention has been described above with reference toparticular means, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to these disclosed particulars, but extendsinstead to all equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A filter system comprising a bracket module and a filter,the filter having a top end and a bottom end, and the bracket modulereceiving the filter to hold the filter in a desired location on asupport surface and being adapted to deliver fluid to and convey fluidaway from the filter, the bracket modules comprising: a top bracketholding the filter top end and a bottom bracket holding the filterbottom end, and at least one of said top bracket or said bottom bracketcomprising at least one fluid connection with the filter adapted toconvey fluid to the filter; wherein the bottom bracket comprises apivotal connection so that the filter, when received in the bottombracket, is pivotal away from said support surface so that the filtertop end moves away from the top bracket; and wherein the top bracketcomprises a pivotal lid adapted to pivot onto the filter top end toretain the filter top end in the top bracket and adapted to pivot awayfrom the filter top end to reveal the filter top end and allow removalof the filter top end from the top bracket.
 2. A filter system as inclaim 1, wherein the filter top end comprises an inlet port and anoutlet port and said top bracket comprises an inlet fluid tubularconnector adapted to seal with and convey fluid to said inlet port andsaid top bracket comprises an outlet fluid tubular connector adapted toseal with and convey fluid away from said outlet port of the filter. 3.A filter system as in claim 1, wherein said bottom bracket comprises afluid connection with the filter.
 4. The filter system as in claim 1,wherein said top bracket comprises two fluid connection members and saidbottom bracket does not comprise any fluid connection to the filter. 5.The filter system as in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of setsof top brackets and bottom brackets and filters and one of said filtersreceived in each of said top brackets and bottom brackets, and thefilter system further comprising fluid conduit extending between saidtop brackets.
 6. The filter system as in claim 1, further comprising aplurality of sets of top brackets and bottom brackets and filters andone of said filters received in each of said top brackets and bottombrackets, and the filter system further comprising fluid conduitextending between said bottom brackets.
 7. The filter system as in claim1, wherein said bottom bracket receives and supports said filter bottomend by means of the bottom bracket having a central upending post andsaid filter bottom end having an indentation slidably and removablyreceived on said upending post.
 8. The filter system as in claim 1,wherein said top bracket comprises an attachment plate for beingattached to a vertical surface.
 9. A filter system comprising a bracketmodule and a filter, the filter having a top end and a bottom end, andthe bracket module receiving the filter to hold the filter in a desiredlocation on a support surface and being adapted to deliver fluid to andconvey fluid away from the filter, the bracket modules comprising: a topbracket holding the filter top end and a bottom bracket holding thefilter bottom end, and at least one of said top bracket or said bottombracket comprising at least one fluid connection with the filter adaptedto convey fluid to the filter; wherein the top bracket comprises apivotal lid adapted to pivot onto the filter top end to retain thefilter top end in the top bracket and adapted to pivot away from thefilter top end to reveal the filter top end and allow removal of thefilter top end from the top bracket; wherein the filter top endcomprises an inlet port and an outlet port and said top bracketcomprises an inlet fluid tubular connector adapted to seal with andconvey fluid to said inlet port and said top bracket comprises an outletfluid tubular connector adapted to seal with and convey fluid away fromsaid outlet port of the filter; and wherein said filter has alongitudinal axis between the top end and the bottom end, and said inletfluid tubular connector and said outlet fluid tubular connector areperpendicular to said longitudinal axis, and said inlet port and outletport are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and slide onto saidtubular connectors.
 10. A filter system as in claim 9, wherein saidtubular connectors are parallel to each other and said inlet port andoutlet port are parallel to each other, and wherein the bottom bracketcomprises a pivotal connection so that the filter, when received in thebottom bracket, is pivotal away from said support surface so that thefilter top end moves away from the top bracket and said inlet port andoutlet port slide off of said tubular connectors to break fluidconnection between the top bracket and the filter.
 11. A filter systemas in claim 9, wherein said bottom bracket does not comprise a fluidconnection with the filter.
 12. A filter system comprising a bracketmodule and a filter, the filter having a top end and a bottom end, andthe bracket modules comprising: a top bracket adapted to be connected toa support surface and the top bracket having at least one fluidconnection member that releaseably connects to and fluidly seals to afluid port of said filter; and a bottom bracket adapted to be connectedto the support surface, the bottom bracket having a portion releaseablysupporting the filter bottom end, wherein said bottom bracket comprisesa pivot so that said portion of the bottom bracket is pivotal relativeto said support surface to move said filter away from, and to disconnectthe filter top end from, the top bracket; and wherein the top bracketfurther comprises a pivotal quick-release latch member that moves toengage a portion of the top end of the filter and that isquick-releaseably movable away from the filter so that the filter clearsthe latch member when the portion of the bottom bracket pivots to movethe filter away from the top bracket.
 13. The filter system as in claim12, wherein said top bracket comprises two fluid connection members andsaid bottom bracket does not comprise any fluid connection to thefilter.
 14. The filter system as in claim 12, further comprising aplurality of sets of top brackets and bottom brackets and filters andone of said filters received in each of said top brackets and bottombrackets, and the filter system further comprising fluid conduitextending between said top brackets.
 15. The filter system as in claim12, further comprising a plurality of sets of top brackets and bottombrackets and filters and one of said filters received in each of saidtop brackets and bottom brackets, and the filter system furthercomprising fluid conduit extending between said bottom brackets.
 16. Thefilter system as in claim 12, wherein said bottom bracket receives andsupports said filter bottom end by means of the bottom bracket having acentral upending post and said filter bottom end having an indentationslidably and removably received on said upending post.
 17. The filtersystem as in claim 12, wherein said top brackets each comprise anattachment plate for being attached to a vertical surface.
 18. Thefilter system as in claim 12, wherein said bottom brackets each comprisean attachment plate for being attached to said support surface.
 19. Afilter system comprising a bracket module and a filter, the filterhaving a top end and a bottom end, and the bracket module comprising: atop bracket adapted to be connected to a support surface and the topbracket having at least one fluid connection member that releaseablyconnects to and fluidly seals to a fluid port of said filter; and abottom bracket adapted to be connected to the support surface, thebottom bracket having a portion releaseably supporting the filter bottomend, wherein said bottom bracket comprises a pivot so that said portionof the bottom bracket is pivotal relative to said support surface tomove said filter away from, and to disconnect the filter top end from,the top bracket; and wherein the top bracket further comprises a latchmember that moves to engage a portion of the top end of the filter andthat is movable away from the filter so that the filter clears the latchmember when the portion of the bottom bracket pivots to move the filteraway from the top bracket wherein the latch member is a pivotal lid thatpivots down to engage said portion of the top end of the filter and thatis pivots up away from the filter.
 20. The filter system as in claim 19,wherein the pivotal lid is biased into a downward position engaging saidportion of the top end of the filter.
 21. A filter system comprising abracket module and a filter, the filter having a top end and a bottomend, and the bracket module comprising: a top bracket adapted to beconnected to a support surface and the top bracket having at least onefluid connection member that releaseably connects to and fluidly sealsto a fluid port of said filter; and a bottom bracket adapted to beconnected to the support surface, the bottom bracket having a portionreleaseably supporting the filter bottom end, wherein said bottombracket comprises a pivot so that said portion of the bottom bracket ispivotal relative to said support surface to move said filter away from,and to disconnect the filter top end from, the top bracket; wherein thetop bracket comprises a pivotal lid that pivots down to surround aportion of the top end of the filter and that pivots up away from thefilter so that the filter clears the pivotal lid when the filter isremoved from said at least one fluid connection, and wherein the topbracket further comprises a biasing system for urging the pivotal lid topivot downward toward the filter top end.
 22. A filter system comprisinga bracket module and a filter, the filter having a top end and a bottomend, and the bracket module comprising: a top bracket adapted to beconnected to a support surface and the top bracket having at least onefluid connection member that releaseably connects to and fluidly sealsto a fluid port of said filter; and a bottom bracket adapted to beconnected to the support surface, the bottom bracket having a portionreleaseably supporting the filter bottom end, wherein said bottombracket comprises a pivot so that said portion of the bottom bracket ispivotal relative to said support surface to move said filter away from,and to disconnect the filter top end from, the top bracket; wherein saidbottom bracket comprises a biasing means for urging the bottom bracketto pivot the filter to a vertical position.
 23. In an assemblycomprising a bracket sub-assembly and a filter sub-assembly, wherein thebracket sub-assembly comprises a top bracket having a pivotal portionand adjacent horizontal inlet and outlet fluid tubular connectors, and abottom bracket comprising a pivotal portion, the filter subassembly thatcomprises: a top end, a bottom end, and a longitudinal axis between saidtop end and bottom end, the bottom end being adapted to be releasablysupported in said bottom bracket, and the top end having both a radialinlet port and a radial outlet port adapted to seal to the inlet andoutlet fluid tubular connectors, wherein the radial inlet port andradial outlet port are adjacent to each other and perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis, and, wherein the filter bottom end does not comprisea fluid port.
 24. The filter of claim 23 having an indentation in saidbottom end that is adapted to receive a post upending from said bottombracket, wherein said indentation does not fluid communicate with saidbottom bracket.
 25. The filter of claim 23 comprising a lock systemwherein the radial inlet port and the radial outlet port each have aport inner surface with at least one recessed slot, the recessed slotsbeing adapted to receive protruding tabs extending radially outward fromsaid inlet fluid tubular connector and said outlet fluid tubularconnector.
 26. The filter of claim 23 wherein the radial inlet port andradial outlet port are co-planar on a horizontal plane.